Smilax zeylanica: An overview

Abstract

http://dx.doi.org/10.21276/IJRDPL.22780238.2018.7(1).2893-2895 ABSTRACT: Smilax zeylanica is a plant species in the genus smilax. Its leaves and roots are used for medicinal purposes. The plant is widespread in India, and native in other parts of the Indian subcontinent as well as in Myanmar, Malaysia, java and islands. It is perennial, dioecious shrub of climbing nature. Leaves of Smilax zeylanica are found in various shapes like ovate, elliptic, oblanceolate which are generally round at base. It is known with different names like in HindiChobchini, Bhitura, Kumarika and Ramdatun; Sanskrit: Chopachinee, Vanamadhusnuhi: Tamilayadi, Tirunamappalai. The plants contain 1-3% steroidal Saponins, phytosterols, starch, resin, sarsapic acid and minerals. Leaves and roots contain diosgenin. It is traditionally used for ulcers. Antiulcer activity of Smilax zeylanica it is one of the larval host plants of the butterfly Zesius chrysomallus. It is one of the safe and efficacious medicinal used traditionally for the treatment of various ailments. As per Ayurveda the plant is useful against skin diseases pitta, insanity, diarrhea, colic, vata, syphilis, gonorrhea, fever, arthritis, leucorrhoea, impotency and general weakness etc. its roots are used as substitute for sarsaparilla. It also possesses many pharmacological activities such as antidiabetic, anticancer, anthelmintic, antioxidant, antiepileptic, hepatoprotective, pesticidal, immunomodulatory, antibacterial and antarthritic.